THE (IN)FAMOUS YOUSSEF SALEM
Director: Baya Kasmi
Feature film | France | 2022
97 min | Dolby 5.1
57th Hof International Film Festival
2023
Youssef Salem is unsuccessful as an author, but tireless as a seducer. Against all odds, he lands a hit with his new book, a faux-autobiographical story about his own dysfunctional family, his sexual adventures and party excesses, and wins a prestigious literary prize.
Overnight, he goes from being a perennial loser to becoming THE bestselling author all of Paris is talking about, which puts him in the awkward position of having to keep the book a secret from his parents. Torn between the joy of fulfilling his dream and the expected stress with his family and his community, Youssef faces the true price of success.
With Abbès Zahmani, Mehla Bedia, Noémie Lvovsky, Ramzy Bedia, Tassadit Mandi
Cinematography Julien Roux, Editing Monica Coleman, Production design Damien Rondeau, Costume design Elfie Carlier, Music Alexandre Saada, Make-up Emma Franco, Production Stéphanie Bermann, Alexis Dulguerian